Can’t ignore Gujarat, says British High Commissioner

Narendra Modi heads the elected government of Gujarat, which is an important state and can play a key role in fostering better Indo-British ties, British High Commissioner to India James Bevan said on Wednesday.

“Gujarat is an important state and Narendra Modi is its Chief Minister. He heads the elected government of a state which like other states can play a key role in fostering better Indo-British ties,” Mr. Bevan said in reply to a question.

“If we want stronger relations with India we can’t overlook Gujarat, can we?” he asked.

When asked whether Britain’s perception of Mr. Modi would change in the wake of his projection as the Prime Ministerial candidate by the main opposition party of the country, he evaded a direct reply saying, “I met Modi last year and would like to stick to my remark at that time that engaging with him was not tantamount to endorsing him.”

“We have great faith in Indian democracy. But we can only be spectators and not commentators in it.”

However, he refused to comment on the British ban on issuing a visa to the BJP’s prime ministerial candidate.

When asked whether Mr. Modi would be issued a visa now if he applies for it, he said, “It is a hypothetical question and I would prefer not to comment on that.”

Mr Modi is trying to build up his image through favourable media reports and this is an example of that. In the normal course this news will not even warrant a footnote in a major national newspaper. But the media is a double edged sword. The more you expose yourself, the more your negative side gets commented on too. As Confucious said "Everybody aspires to more than they deserve, but in the end everybody gets only what they deserve."

from:
Rajesh

Posted on: Oct 2, 2013 at 17:56 IST

"He heads the elected government of a state", amazing that British have woken up after 10 years. Wasn't modi elected CM for 10 years, when British refused him entry in UK ?